Normandy, France Looking Back on Veteran's Day 2012

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It is Veteran's Day in the US. I was looking through my travel blogs and couldn't find a Normandy Blog. Normandy is where the largest military landing in history took place on June 6, 1944. Monuments, museums, bunkers and cemetaries are a living commemoration to the Battle of Normandy.



Our trip, via a Uniworld River Cruise from Paris to Normandy and back, was years ago. But, since this phase of the trip never got written up here are some memories and photos.



Visiting the landing sites and understanding the conditions of weather, tides, and enemy were overwhelming. Visiting the US National Cemetery where so many Crosses (and Stars of David) line "row on row" even more so!



The pictures speak for themselves. We did learn that many families of fallen heros decided to have their loved ones buried near where they fell. We were each given a flower as we entered the cemetary with the suggestion that we choose a grave to "decorate" with the flower. We also learned of many examples of French hospitality to the wounded; they risked their own lives to give shelter and sustinance to the American, Canadian, and British troops.



Normandy gave us a very emotional look back into history. We got into recovery mode the next day at the charming, ancient port of Honfleur.

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Photos

My Rose
I picked the grave at random. Tried to speculate on a grave that might not have had many visitors.

Wes and Joanne at Omaha Beach
We learned to understand the logistics, strategies, and errors made during the Normandy Landing.

Picnic Omaha Beach
For all of its fame, there doesn't seem to be much tourism infrastructure in the Normandy Landing area.

Honfleur Harbor
We bought a miniature painting of this scene.

Crosses and Stars of David
US National Cemetery at Normandy!

Comments

[jeff deets]

comment on blog
Beautiful photos and commentary. Must be so exciting to see all those historical places.Thank you for sending a bit of it home to share !